Portable golf ball cleaning device

ABSTRACT

An improved portable golf ball cleaning device is described. The device comprises a canister, a cover and a cleansing material situated within the canister. When the cover is seated in place, the cover and canister are designed to provide a liquid and vapor tight seal thereby preventing loss of cleaning liquid from within the canister. The device is designed to conveniently fit within the pocket of the user.

United States Patent n 1 MacConnell [4 1 Aug. 7, 1973 PORTABLE GOLF BALLCLEANING DEVICE [76] lnventor: John R. MacConnell, 29 Lyellwood Pky.,Rochester, N.Y. 14606 [22] Filed: Jan. 28, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 221,616

[52] US. Cl. 15/118, 15/21 A, 15/244 R,

401/13 [51] Int. Cl A63b 57/00 [58] Field of Search 15/104.94, 104.92,

15/104.93,105,160, 210 R, 244 R, 21 A, 118; 220/39 R, 40 S; 206/1.5, 2,37 R; 215/37 R, 38 B, 51, 80; 401/196, 48,11,13

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,565,414 12/1925 Byrne15/244 R 3/1926 Ellis 220/40 S 4/1968 Strout 15/244 R v PrimaryExaminer-Leon G. Machlin Attorney-Fred L. Denson et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT An improved portable golf ball cleaning device isdescribed. The device comprises a canister, a cover and a cleansingmaterial situated within the canister. When the cover is seated inplace, the cover and canister are designed to provide a liquid and vaportight seal thereby preventing loss of cleaning liquid from within thecanister. The device is designed to conveniently fit within the pocketof the user.

10 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENIEB AUG 7 I975 SHEET 1 OF 4llllllllliil 1 PATENIEU Ann H975 SHEET 2 OF 4 PATENIED M18 7 3.750.219

sum 3 OF 4 1 PORTABLE GOLF BALL CLEANING DEVICE This invention relatesto an improved portable golf ball cleaning device.

When golfing, it is often desirable to maintain the surface of a golfball clean of dirt, stains and other foreign substances. The removal ofsuch matter from the surface of the ball is necessary to insure its trueflight when struck with a club, i.e. to prevent the ball from hooking orslicing. On occasion even the best golfers lose balls in shrubs andunderbush. Under these circumstances. a clean ball is much easier tofind than a green ball. Also, when driving for distance, a clean balltravels farther than a dirty ball.

Many golf courses have washing facilities near the tees. Frequently,these washing facilities are inoperable. Moreover, there is no methodfor washing or cleaning the surface of the ball between tee shots, i.e.after the initial drive, no facilities are available for cleaning on thefairways between greens. Less sophisticated golf courses do not have anycleaning devices whatsoever.

Better golfers recognize the importance of a clean golf ball andfrequently use various devices for cleaning their balls while in play.Most devices are relatively large and bulky and are either carried in orattached to the golf bag. Few are available which can be carried on theperson e.g. in the pocket, attached to the belt or otherwise. Generallygolf ball cleaning devices which can be carried in the pocket are notlarge enough to provide a sufficient surface for thoroughly cleaning theball. It is frequently difficult to provide liquid tight seals forpocket cleaners to prevent cleaning liquids such as water from wettingthe pocket of the carrier. When volatile solvents are used as thecleaning liquid, the pocket devices must be airtight as well as liquidtight. Most portable ball cleaning devices consist of a cleaningmaterial such as a sponge positioned within a container. Frequently,difficulties are encountered in removing the cover from the container.Depending on the method of fitting of the cover to the container thecover may suddenly spring open when its removal is attempted instead ofgradually opening. Sudden openings of this type frequently cause thecleaning liquid within the container to spill onto the person of theuser.

It is desirable for pocket cleaners to have a tight efficient sealbetween the cover and the container to insure that liquid does not leakfrom the container and wet the pocket of the user as explainedpreviously. Presently used cleaners do not provide seals which functionefficiently. Replacement of the cover on the container and replacementof a cleaning means within the container is inconvenient and difficultfor many of the presently used cleaners. Thus, there exists a need for apocket golf ball cleaning device which has none of the problemsassociated with the pocket cleaners of the prior art.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved golf ballcleaning device.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved golf ballcleaning device suitable for carrying on the person.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improvedpocket golf ball cleaning device having an easily removable cover.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved golfball cleaning device suitable for containingvolatile liquid cleaners.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved golf ballcleaning device with an abrasive surface designed to remove difficultyremovable foreign substances.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved portablegolf ball cleaning device which is capable of providing an air tightseal to prevent evaporation of volatile liquids contained therein.

These and other objects of this invention are accomplished with animproved portable golf ball cleaning device having a cylindrical shapedcanister and a cover for the canister. The canister has an open end anda closed end and is provided with a washer fixedly attached andcircumferentially adjacent to the inner surface of the canister. Thewasher is positioned in close proximity to the open end and has anoutside diameter approximately the same as the inside diameter of thecanister. The inside diameter of the washer is large enough to allow forthe passage of a golf ball therethrough. The width of the face orsurface of the washer is sufficient to permit a liquid and airtight sealto be formed between the face of the washer and the flat surface of theouter rim of a cover for the canister. The cover has a flatcircumferential portion comprising its outer rim. The surface of thisouter rim is capable of forming a flush fit with the face of theaforementioned washer. The device is equiped with a fastening means forsecuring the cover to the canister. Cleaning means such as a sponge ispositioned within the canister body. The novel construction arrangementof the parts hereof are shown in preferred form in the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. IA is an overall isomeric view with cutaway of the improved golfball cleaning device of this invention.

FIG. 1B is a top view of the device of FIG. 1A with the cover in lockedposition.

FIG. 1C is a top view of the device of FIG. 1A with the cover inunlocked position.

FIG. 2 is another embodiment of the invention wherein the cover isscrewed onto the device.

FIG. 3 is still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4A is a concave cover useful with the canister of FIG. 4C.

FIG. 4B is a washer assembly useful with the canister of FIG. 4C.

FIG. 4C is a canister representing yet another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a view of the inner surface of the cover.

FIG. 6 is a view of the closed end of the canister.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, improved golf ball cleaning device ll containscanister 2 and cover 3 for the canister. The cover is designed to bereadily removed and to form a liquid and airtight seal. The size of thecleaning device permits the user to conveniently carry it in his pocketor attach it to his belt. The canister and cover can be constructed ofmany known types of materials such as metals, plastics, etc.

Cover 3 has attached handle 4. The outer rim of the cover 5 iscircumferentially flat and isdesigned to form a flush fit with the faceof the washer 7 contained within the canister 2 as described below.Cover 3 also contains notches or slots 6 positioned in thecircumferential rim of the cover. The notches or slots are utilized inconjunction with one type of fastening means for securing the cover tothe canister as explained below.

Canister 2 is cylindrically shaped and contains closed end 9, open end10 and wall I1. Contained within the canister itself is cleaning means12, such as a sponge, scouring pad or other known cleaning material.Typically, the cleaning means 12 is wetted with a liquid such as water.Stronger cleaning solvents can be used where necessary or desirable.Even though such stronger solvents are typically very volatile, thenovel construction of the golf ball cleaning device described hereinprevents the escape of liquid or vapor from the device itself. Canister2 also contains washer 7 which is fixedly attached and circumferentiallyadjacent to the inner surface of the canister wall 11. Washer 7 can befixed to the inside canister wall by any of several means including anadhesive, force fit, snap fit, shrink fit or manufactured as an integralpart of the wall. The washer is positioned in close proximity to openend of the canister and has an outside diameter which is approximatelythe same as the inside diameter of the canister since it is adjacentthereto. The washer has an inside diameter which is sufficient to allowfor the passage of a golf ball therethrough. A pair of inwardly extendedL shaped tongues 8 are situated on the peripheral rim of open end 10 ofthe canister. The L shaped tongues are shaped corresponding to notches 6in the cover. As shown in FIG. 1C cover 3 is fastened securely tocanister 2 by orienting the cover so that notches 6 of the cover arealigned with L shaped tongues 8 of the canister. The cover then isinserted into the canister by passing L shaped tongues through notches6. The outer flat rim of the cover is seated on the flat surface of thewasher. As shown in FIG. 1B, after the cover is positioned it is given ahalf turn so that the notches are no longer aligned with the L shapedtongues. Once the cover is seated, the seal formed between the washerand the flat portion of the cover rim is of sufficient width to providea very efficient seal against leakage of liquid or vapor from thecanister itself.

FIG. 2 sets forth yet another embodiment of the invention. Cover 14contains handle 15 and a flat circumferential rim 16 designed to bescrewed when twisted. Cover 14 is designed to function in conjunctionwith canister 2 which contains washer 7 fixedly attached to the innersurface of the canister. As shown in the drawing, washer 7 and canister2 are made as one integral unit. Also positioned within the canister iscleaning means 12. Canister 2 contains screw threading l3 positioned onthe inner surface of canister wall 11 between the open end 10 and thewasher 7. The screw threading permits cover 14 to be screwed inwardlyonto the surface of washer 7 thus forming a tight seal between the flatouter rim of the cover and the washer face.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 1A except washer 7 is formed as an integralpart of canister 2 during manufacture.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C represent yet another embodiment of the invention.In FIG. 4A cover 17 is shaped inwardly concave with respect to thecanister body. The concave shape adds to the compactness of the deviceand makes it more suitable for fitting into the pocket of the user.Handle 18 is positioned within the concave section and therefore doesnot present a protruding appearance in the user's pocket. Cover 17contains a flat circumferential portion 19 on its outer rim. Thisportion has two slots or notches 20 shaped and positioned to permitcover 17 to be passed over two L shaped tongues and be securely seatedby imparting a half turn to the cover. Also, as explained previously,the flat outer rim 19 provides an effective seal when cover 17 isseated. Washer assembly 21 in FIG. 48 contains washer 22. Situated onthe surface or face of washer 22 are two L shaped tongues which extendinwardly toward the center of the washer. These tongues are positionedin a manner such that notches 20 in cover 17 may conveniently allow forthe passage therethrough of the tongues thus permitting the cover to beseated on the surface of the washer. Cover 17, when given a half turn,becomes securely seated against the washer thereby providing an airtightand liquid tight seal. Washer assembly 2I also contains small rib 24which extends circumferentially around the entire outer vertical wall ofwasher assembly 21. The purpose of the rib is to provide a means forfastening or locking the entire washer assembly 21 within the canisteras explained below.

In FIG. 4C canister 25 contains closed end 27, open end 29 andcylindrical walls 26. The inner surface of wall 26 contains a smallcircumferential groove 28 which extends entirely around the innersurface of wall 26. Groove 28 is positioned in close proximity to openend 29 and shaped in a complementary manner to accept rib 24. Also,positioned within canister 25 is cleaning means 12. Washer assembly 21is secured within canister 25 by the insertion of circumferential rib 24into circumferential groove 28 in snap fit fashion. Typically, rib 24 isless than 0.05 inch in height and less than 0.10 inch in width.Complimentary shaped groove 28 contains correspondingly similardimensions. Frequently, it is desirable to bevel the upper portion ofgroove 28 to facilitate the insertion of rib 24 of the washer assembly21.

While the drawings set forth certain embodiments, there are severalother embodiments which are suitable for the invention. Typically inFIG. 4, for example, rib 24 and groove 28 may be removed thus providinga smooth surface for inside wall 26 of canister 25. In this instance thewasher assembly 21 may be inserted in force fit" fashion into the insideof canister 25. Alternatively, the entire washer assembly may be securedto the inner wall of the canister by use of an adhesive.

Frequently, the surface of the golf ball may contain substances whichare very difficult to remove with cleaning means 12. In order to removeforeign matter of this type as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the inner surfaceof cover 3 or the outside of the closed end 9 of canister 2 may beprovided with an abrasive surface 40 either by toughening of the surfaceduring manufacture or by the addition of an abrasive material secured byan adhesive to the surface. The golf ball may then be rubbed on theabrasive surface to remove the foreign materials after which it may besubjected to the normal cleaning procedures set forth below.

In the operation of this invention, the user inserts a cleaning meanssuch as a sponge which has been dampened generously with water or aconventional cleaning solvent. The sponge is placed within the canisterand the cover is placed on the canister and secured by twisting or byany of the means set forth in the above embodiments. The cleaning deviceis then inserted into the user's pocket or attached to his belt. Whencleaning is desired, the user merely removes the cover, contacts thesurface of the golf ball with the surface of the cleaning means andconveniently replaces the cover.

It is readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the improvedgolf ball cleaning device described herein overcomes the problemspresented by the prior art.

The cover is easily removable and replaceable. A tight seal is providedwhich will retain water as well as more volatile liquids and theirvapors such as cleaning solvents. The user is not presented with theproblem of a dampened pocket because of leakage from the container. Theshape of the device particularly as described in the embodiment of theinvention which encompasses a concave cover is very suitable for theuser in that it fits readily into the pocket and creates no unsightlybumps in the clothing.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tocertain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

I claim:

1. A portable golf ball cleaning device comprising a cylindrical shapedcanister having an open end and a closed end, a washer fixedly attachedand circumferentially adjacent to the inner surface of the cylindricalwall of said canister and positioned in close proximity to said open endhaving an outside diameter approximately the same as the inside diameterof said canister as measured from canister wall to canister wall andhaving an inside diameter sufficient to allow the passage of a golf balltherethrough thereby providing sufficient width to the face of saidwasher to permit a liquid tight seal to be formed between the face ofsaid washer and the surface of the outer rim of a seated cover for saidcanister, a cover having a flat circumferential portion comprising anouter rim thereby providing a surface capable of forming a flush fitwith the face of said washer, fastening means for said cover andcleaning means positioned within said canister.

2. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the inner surface of saidcanister is provided with a circumferential groove positioned in closeproximity to said open end, the size of said groove being sufficient toaccept the outer portion of said washer thereby providing a snap fitpositioning for said washer.

3. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the fastening meanscomprises screw threading positioned on the inner surface of saidcanister between said open end and said washer whereby the cover can bescrewed onto the surface of said washer.

4. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the cover is inwardlyconcave with respect to the canister.

5. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the interior surface ofthe cover is roughened thereby providing an abrasive area for additionalcleansing of a golf ball surface.

6. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the exterior surface ofthe closed end of said canister is roughened thereby providing anabrasive area for additional cleansing of a golf ball surface.

7. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the cleaning means is asponge.

8. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the fastening means forsaid cover comprises two inwardly extended L shaped tongues situated onthe peripheral rim of the open end of said canister and the outer rim ofsaid cover contains two slots complementally shaped with respect to saidtongues and positioned for passage therethrough of said tongues.

9. A portable golf ball cleaning device comprising a cylindrical shapedcanister having an open end and a closed end, a washer assemblycomprising a washer and two L shaped tongues positioned on the face ofsaid washer and extending inwardly from the outer periphery of saidwasher, said washer being fixedly attached and circumferentiallyadjacent to the inner surface of the cylindrical wall of said canisterand positioned in close proximity to said open end having an outsidediameter approximately the same as the inside diameter of said canisteras measured from canister wall to canister wall and having an insidediameter sufficient to allow the passage of a golf ball therethroughproviding sufficient width to the face of said washer to form a sealbetween said washer and the surface of the outer rim of a seated coverfor said canister, a cover having a flat circumferential portioncomprising an outer rim of said cover, said outer rim having two slotscomplementally shaped with respect to said tongues and positioned forpassage therethrough of said tongues whereby said cover is fastened bypositioning it in contact with the surface of said washer and turningthe cover causing the rim of said lid to be positioned under said Lshaped tongues.

10. The device as described in claim 9 wherein the inner surface of saidcanister is provided with a circumferential groove positioned in closeproximity to said open end, the size of said groove being sufficient toaccept the outer portion of said washer thereby providing a snap fitpositioning for said washer assembly.

1. A portable golf ball cleaning device comprising a cylindrical shapedcanister having an open end and a closed end, a washer fixedly attachedand circumferentially adjacent to the inner surface of the cylindricalwall of said canister and positioned in close proximity to sAid open endhaving an outside diameter approximately the same as the inside diameterof said canister as measured from canister wall to canister wall andhaving an inside diameter sufficient to allow the passage of a golf balltherethrough thereby providing sufficient width to the face of saidwasher to permit a liquid tight seal to be formed between the face ofsaid washer and the surface of the outer rim of a seated cover for saidcanister, a cover having a flat circumferential portion comprising anouter rim thereby providing a surface capable of forming a flush fitwith the face of said washer, fastening means for said cover andcleaning means positioned within said canister.
 2. The device asdescribed in claim 1 wherein the inner surface of said canister isprovided with a circumferential groove positioned in close proximity tosaid open end, the size of said groove being sufficient to accept theouter portion of said washer thereby providing a snap fit positioningfor said washer.
 3. The device as described in claim 1 wherein thefastening means comprises screw threading positioned on the innersurface of said canister between said open end and said washer wherebythe cover can be screwed onto the surface of said washer.
 4. The deviceas described in claim 1 wherein the cover is inwardly concave withrespect to the canister.
 5. The device as described in claim 1 whereinthe interior surface of the cover is roughened thereby providing anabrasive area for additional cleansing of a golf ball surface.
 6. Thedevice as described in claim 1 wherein the exterior surface of theclosed end of said canister is roughened thereby providing an abrasivearea for additional cleansing of a golf ball surface.
 7. The device asdescribed in claim 1 wherein the cleaning means is a sponge.
 8. Thedevice as described in claim 1 wherein the fastening means for saidcover comprises two inwardly extended L shaped tongues situated on theperipheral rim of the open end of said canister and the outer rim ofsaid cover contains two slots complementally shaped with respect to saidtongues and positioned for passage therethrough of said tongues.
 9. Aportable golf ball cleaning device comprising a cylindrical shapedcanister having an open end and a closed end, a washer assemblycomprising a washer and two L shaped tongues positioned on the face ofsaid washer and extending inwardly from the outer periphery of saidwasher, said washer being fixedly attached and circumferentiallyadjacent to the inner surface of the cylindrical wall of said canisterand positioned in close proximity to said open end having an outsidediameter approximately the same as the inside diameter of said canisteras measured from canister wall to canister wall and having an insidediameter sufficient to allow the passage of a golf ball therethroughproviding sufficient width to the face of said washer to form a sealbetween said washer and the surface of the outer rim of a seated coverfor said canister, a cover having a flat circumferential portioncomprising an outer rim of said cover, said outer rim having two slotscomplementally shaped with respect to said tongues and positioned forpassage therethrough of said tongues whereby said cover is fastened bypositioning it in contact with the surface of said washer and turningthe cover causing the rim of said lid to be positioned under said Lshaped tongues.
 10. The device as described in claim 9 wherein the innersurface of said canister is provided with a circumferential groovepositioned in close proximity to said open end, the size of said groovebeing sufficient to accept the outer portion of said washer therebyproviding a snap fit positioning for said washer assembly.